OSU offers food preservation hotline

(JULY 22, 2022) Many people have gardens. They want to save food that they grow. They often want to preserve the food they grow. Some people try to can their fruits and vegetables. This means that they place in a jar, add a cover, and seal it with pressure to remove the air.

Home canning is fun and convenient. However, it must be done safely. Otherwise, the spoiled food can make people sick.

The Oregon State University Extension Service wants to help home canners. It has a new telephone service. It's called the Food Safety and Preservation hotline.

People can call to ask questions about preserving food at home. Most commonly, hotline callers ask about preserving salsa, tomatoes, and tuna.

The hotline is staffed by certified Master Food Preserver volunteers in Lane and Douglas counties. The volunteers fielded 1,487 calls to the hotline in 2021.

The toll-free hotline, 800-354-7319, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Oct. 7. When the hotline is closed, callers can leave a message.